Final PROSPECT+ event and policy dialogue: 

Rethinking Funding at the Local Level: Moving Beyond Subsidies to Fast-Track the Energy Transition

11 MARCH 2025, 14:30-17:00 CET,
COMIC ART MUSEUM BRUSSELS, RUE DES SABLES 20, 1000 BRUSSELS

This event draws on the results of the PROSPECT+ consultations, which explored public authorities’ attitudes toward innovative financing instruments. Building on the project’s extensive experience as it concludes, the event will explore actionable recommendations to enable cities to access the resources required for energy transition and climate neutrality, such as aligning regulations, improving communication about existing support, and fostering coordinated capacity-building efforts tailored to cities' needs. These insights are particularly relevant for policymakers, investors, and stakeholders shaping support for cities’ energy transition.

Finally, the event will provide an overview of the project journey, emphasising the value of peer learning in strengthening cities' and regions' capacities to achieve their goals. 

Why Attend? 

• Learn What Cities Need: Hear the findings of PROSPECT+ consultations, where cities shared their experiences with innovative financing instruments such as Energy Performance Contracts, Green Bonds, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs), and crowdlending. Understand the barriers they face, from restrictive regulations to limited capacity, and the support they require. 

• Gain Practical Insights: Hear how policies, support initiatives, and funding mechanisms can be better aligned with cities’ needs to accelerate their progress toward climate neutrality. 

AGENDA

Welcome & Introduction

André Sobczak, Secretary General of Eurocities

Moderator: Diana Prsancova, Senior Project Officer, FEDARENE

The PROSPECT+ journey

Why it is important to keep investing in strengthening local and regional authorities’ capacity through impactful peer-learning. 

Giulia Pizzini, Senior Energy Expert, The Institute for European Energy and Climate Policy (IEECP) 

Public authorities' attitudes toward innovative financing instruments: barriers and postulates. 

Presentation of the results of the PROSPECT+ consultations highlighting priorities, needs and barriers on the local level raised by local authorities and their universality across Europe. 

Sylwia Słomiak, Senior Climate Finance Advisor, Eurocities 

Panel Discussion: Addressing local needs 

Exploring current and future support opportunities that address the needs on the local level.  

Panellists: 
- Pierluca Merola, Policy Officer, European Commission: Energy Efficiency: Policy and financing Unit, European Commission, Directorate-General for Energy (DG ENER) 

- Andrzej Urbanik, Policy Officer, European Commission: European Commission, Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy (DG REGIO) 

- Bianca Faragau, Institutional Policy Officer, European Investment Bank 

- Anna-Maria Spyriouni, Head of EU Affairs, Climate Bonds Initiative 

- Andries Gryffroy, European Committee of the Regions  
moderated by Sylwia Slomiak, EUROCITIES

Panel Discussion: Reality at the local level

What cities need to accelerate the energy transition while public funding is not enough for the scale and urgency of the transformation and what strategies have been most effective so far. 

Panellists:  
- Alicia Villazan Cabero, Project Manager, Valladolid City Council, Spain  

- Marco Costa, Renewable Energy Community Team Lead at Agenzia per l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Sostenibile (AESS) - Energy and Sustainable Development Agency Modena (Italy) TBC 

- Marcin Gradzki, Director of Climate and Air Quality Department, City of Warsaw, Poland  

- Vlasta Krmelj, Mayor of Selnica ob Dravi and CEO of ENERGAP, Slovenia 

- TBC Jolein Schorel, Municipality of Amersfoort, the Netherlands  

moderated by Giulia Pizzini, IEECP

Wrap-up and closing

Cristina Mestre Martínez, Project Advisor, European Commission: European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency (CINEA) 

Cocktail reception and Networking

Who should Attend? 

This session is designed to inform and engage: 

• EU Institutions & Policymakers: Those responsible for designing policies and funding mechanisms that can better support cities. 

• Financial Institutions & Investors: Stakeholders looking to understand the needs of cities and explore opportunities for public-private collaboration. 

• City Networks & Advocacy Groups: Organizations amplifying the voices of local authorities to ensure their needs are heard. 

• Municipal Leaders & Energy Agencies: Representatives seeking practical tools and strategies to access financing and overcome challenges

Take part in the discussion 

You still have a unique opportunity to share your city's or region's needs, postulates and recommendations!

Fill in a short survey to contribute to the issues the speakers will highlight during the final event: add your contribution. 

About the organisers:

PROSPECT+ consortium: Adelphi, ENERGAP, Energy Cities, ESV, Eurocities, Fedarene, IEECP, SEMMO, Tipperary Energy Agency, UPRC and Valladolid City Council. 

PROSPECT+ enhances public authorities’ capacity and fosters dialogue about accelerating the energy transition, addressing the challenging scale of the needed climate action by focusing on innovative financing instruments.

More information

• Download the full agenda here. 

• Find more about the event and how to register here.

Important note

Please kindly note that this is an in-person event in Brussels and a hybrid format has not been foreseen.